Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will drive the Palestinian issue during the 60th Anniversary of Asia-Africa Conference (AAC) summit in Jakarta on April 23, 2015.

         "Of course, the issue of Palestine is one of our main interests, and Mr. President (Jokowi) will drive it during the discussion and we will stand for it. But, it will be very dynamic," said acting Director of Inter-regional Cooperation of Asia Pacific and Africa Ferdy Piay here on Thursday.

         Piay said after a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that though the AAC brought Asian and African countries in a group, but still the stand points on Palestine was related to each nation's point of view and interests.

         Therefore, Piay added Indonesia as the host of AAC summit would also promote the issue of Palestinian capacity building to prepare them as a nation when they reached independence.

         "In terms of independence, there might be any differences, but preparing the Palestinian to be independent is another thing. So, we think it will be the meeting point to address the Palestinian issues," Piay noted.

         However, Piay emphasized that the commitment of the Indonesian government and its people to support Palestinians' struggle for independence would not falter.

         He said since the establishment of AAC in 1955, the intercontinental organization had been encouraged, promoted and supported the independence of each nation, and from the 109 members, only Palestine who had not obtained complete independence as a state.

         "We already have a joint statement, and we highly expect there will be a further and stronger declaration, such as recognition and so on. But we have to look at its dynamic discussion (on the AAC summit)," he noted.

         "The AAC is our legacy on how we free the colonized nations, and we will keep the spirit of it," Piay added.

         As the host of the 60th anniversary of AAC, Indonesia has prepared various events from senior official meeting on April 19-20, ministerial meeting on April 21-22, AAC summit on April 23, and historical walk on April 24, which will be held in Bandung, West Java.

         President Jokowi will invite 109 state leaders of Asian and African countries to commemorate and revitalize the AAC spirit into real action in addressing political solidarity, economy and development and sociocultural issues.

         Besides, the government of Indonesia will also organize the Asia-Africa business summit, which will be a forum for the businesses from two continents to meet and discuss the economic cooperation and development in the two areas. (WDY)

Pewarta: Reported by Azi Fitriyanti

Editor : I Gusti Bagus Widyantara


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